Assault, drug claims against life savers

Six members of Australia's under-20 surf life saving team have been placed under suspension after allegations of drug use and assault during the Rescue 2012 World Surf Life Saving Championships.

The event was held in Adelaide from November 4-18, with the accused athletes provisionally suspended by Surf Life Saving Australia last Thursday.

South Australian police and anti-doping officials have also been consulted over the allegations.

Surf Life Saving Australia said in a statement on Monday night that "allegations of illicit drug use and possible unlawful assault" had been received, as well as allegations of breaches of the SLSA code of conduct.

Members of the team come from across Australia, however, an SLSA spokesman would not disclose which states the accused athletes were from, or their gender.

Three members of an overseas team have also been accused of involvement in "possible unlawful assaults" but their country of origin has not been revealed.

The SLSA statement said South Australian Police and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority had been contacted in relation to the allegation.

A full SLSA judiciary has also been formed, with a hearing set down for December 14-16 to hear the allegations.

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